Response

Primary Information

All newly hired staff employees, including re-hires, must successfully complete a trial period before they are eligible for the University’s paid time off day programs for vacation, sick, and personal days, or the University’s job protection policy. During their trial periods, new hires are entitled to paid time off only for University-observed holidays. New hires terminated during their trial periods may not contest their terminations through the internal grievance process.

The trial period normally runs for three (3) months from the date of hire, but a supervisor, in consultation with the Human Resources Department, may extend an employee’s trial period for up to an additional three (3) months. If this occurs, the supervisor must notify the employee in writing. The total trial period should not exceed six (6) months.

If an employee is promoted or transferred to another position, a new trial period will commence, during which the employee will be eligible for sick, vacation and job protection benefits (thus no waiting period to use paid time off ) but may not contest termination through the internal grievance process. Rehires, however, return to new hire status and will not be eligible for using vacation or sick time during the trial period.

For any questions or concerns, please contact your Human Resource Business Partner.

Please reference the Tufts HR website and the Employee Handbookfor more information on the University’s Trial Period policy.